Yarn winding apparatus



Oct. 24, 1939.` w. H. KIMPTON Er AL YARN WINDING APPARATUS Filed May 4. 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 N .n w. Oww u TLN m PUu m .MFm KM Hm ,env M Y' 24, 17939 w. H. KIMP-roN sr Al. 2,176,970

Y YARN WINDING AFPAATUS 17; Filed May 4, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WILLIAM H K MPTON STEPHEN My FULTON Oct. 24, 1939. w. H. 1MP-rob: E-r AL 2,176,970

YARN WINDING APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WiLLiAM H KIMPTON STEPHENM-YUEVON mms Arran/vs ys Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,116,970 YARN wlNnrNo APPARATUS of Delaware Application May 4, 1937, Serial No. 140,630

In Great Britain May 11,

16 Claims.

This invention relates to yarn winding apparatus and is concerned .more particularly with yarn winding apparatus of the type in which pirns, cops, spools or like packages (hereinafter referred to for brevity as pirns) are automatically removed from the machine on completion oi winding and replaced by fresh package supports on which the winding of new 'packages continues.

An object of the invention is to provide mechanism for ejecting a completed pirn from a winding spindle and for placing an empty pirn tube on the spindle.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic means for attaching to a fresh pirn l5 tube the end of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn, and for severing the yarn near the completed pirn in readiness for winding on the fresh tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide 20 automatic means for carrying out the operations above referred to and for restarting the winding operation after pirn tube replenishment has been effected.

The invention also contemplates the provision in a winding machine in which a plurality of pirns are replaced by fresh tubes simultaneously of means for automatically delaying the operation of the ejecting and replenishing mechanism until all the pirns are completed.

The invention comprises broadly means in association with a pirn winding spindle for ejecting a completed pirn endwise from the Winding spindle after stoppage of Winding, a carriage adapted to deliver a fresh pirn tube from a supply to a point opposite the end of the spindle, and means for propelling the fresh pirn tube endwise from the carriage into winding position on the spindle. On withdrawal of the completed pirn from the spindle the end of yarn connected to the pirn and extending from the supply through the traverse guide of the machine is seized by a yarnengaging member which brings about the engagement of the yarn with the fresh pirn tube as the tube is placed in position on the spindle, the yarn-engaging member cooperating with a severing member which severs the yarn at a point near the completed pirn and thus allows of the completed pirn freely leaving the vicinity of the spindle.

The fresh pirn tubes may be Supplied to the carriage from a magazine capable oi holding a plurality of tubes, the carriage conveniently cooperating with the magazine in a manner such that a fresh tube is released from the magazine and supplied to the carriage for transference to the spindle replenishing position on the completion of the winding of a pirn.

An important feature of the invention resides in means forgseizing the length of yarn extending from the traverse guide to the completed pirn, and rotating the yarn about the winding axis in order to effect the engagement of the yarn with the fresh pirn tube. Thus the yarn-engaging member may be rotated about the winding spindle so as to wrap the yarn engaged by the member around the spindle, the yarn so Wrapped being trapped by the oncoming pim tube and thus securely engaged by the tube in readiness for winding.

A plurality or set of winding spindles may be served simultaneously by the pirn electing and replenishing mechanism according to the invention, the various movements of the pirns being eifected in synchronism by ejecting and replenishing elements in association with each spindle and operated by a common controlling mechanism. During Winding on the spindles the controlling mechanism may be'maintained inoperative by a member in `association with the spindles and adapted to be moved so as to render the controlling mechanism operative only when all the spindies of the set have ceased rotating.

Thus, the member may be a bar, spring-urged into operative position to render the controlling mechanism operative, but restrained against movement under the inuence of its spring during the rotation of the spindles by locking mechanisms operated by the starting rods of the spindles, the locking mechanisms being released only as the spindles in association therewith stop under the action of their respective stop motions. In this manner the operation of the controlling mechanism can take place only when all the spindles have ceased rotating. The controlling mechanism may be adapted to restart the spindles and reset the bar and locking mechanisms therefor on completion of the pirn ejecting and replenishing operations.

The pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism according to the invention may be applied to existing pirn winding machines and is particularly suitable for application to machines of the type in which each spindle has a separate stop motion and a separate rotatable starting rod.

As indicated above the initiation of the electing and replenishing operation may be dependent on the functioning of all the stop motions of the spindles in a set. Each stop motion may be adapted to operate after a predetermined number of revolutions of the spindle in. association therewith, or when a predetermined length of yarn has been wound on the pirn, or when the pirn itself has reached a predetermined length, similar setting of all the stop motions o! a set of spindles bringing about stoppage of the spindles substantially simultaneously or in fairly quick succession when the same kind of yarn is wound on each pim. A set of spindles served by the ejecting and replenishing mechanism according to the invention may conveniently comprise 2 to 4 or more spindles.

Means are preferably provided for giving warning to the machine operative on failure of the yarn being wound on a pirn. Thus the yarn may be felt by a feeler device adapted to move and close an electric circuit on yarn failure, the closing of the circuit bringing about the illumination of a warning lamp, or the operation of other electrically operated warning means. A similar feeler device may be incorporated in a pirn tube magazine and may operate to give similar warning on approaching exhaustion of the pirn tubes in the magazine. One or both of said feeler devices may also serve to operate stop mechanism adapted to disconnect the drive to the machine, the warning device serving to call the attention of the operative to the stoppage of the machine.

Two forms of pirn ejectlng and replenishing mechanism according to the invention applied to a plrn winding machine of the type in which each spindle has a separate yarn traversing mechanism. starting rod, andstop motion, will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a part cross-sectional end elevation of pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism according to the invention applied to a pirn winding machine of the type referred to above;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation viewed along the lines 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation viewed along the lines 4-4 of Fig. i;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail oi part of the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Figs. 6-9 are diagrammatic illustrations of the pim ejecting and replenishing operations;

Fig. 10 is a part cross-sectional plan of a detail of Fig. l, on larger scale;

Fig. 1l is a front elevation of a detail of Fig. 1 viewed along the lines Ii-ii of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of a detail of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a part cross-sectional end elevation of another form of pirn electing and replenishing mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a part cross-sectional end elevation of a part of Fig. 13 on larger scale;

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 14 viewed along the lines iB-IB of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of part of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 17 is a part cross-sectional elevation of a detail of Fig. 14.

Fig. l comprises sumcient oi' a two-spindle pirn winding machine (indicated generally by the reference numeral I) to illustrate the application of the invention thereto, pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 2, and controlling means for the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 3. In the following description the function and operation of the various mechanisms will be described generally in the order referred to above.

The pim winding machine is of the well-known type which comprises a gear box 4, clutch driven winding spindles 5, a reciprocating half-threaded traverse rod 6 and starting rod 1, in association with each spindle, and a yarn guiding device 8 mounted on each rod 8. For simplicity of illustration one spindle 5, traverse rod li and guiding device 8 only are shown in Fig. 1.

During winding each guiding device 8 traverses yarn along a short length of a pirn tube 9` (shown in dotted line) mounted on the associated spindle 5 and moves its field of traverse gradually from the base to the tip of the tube to complete the pim, stop mechanism then operating to rotate the starting rod 1 to the inoperative position so as to bring the spindle to rest, all in the manner well-known to those skilled in the pim winding art.

On stoppage of a winding spindle 5 at the completition of a pirn, the ejecting and replenishing mechanism according to the invention functions in the following manner:

A sleeve i2 encircling the spindle i at a point between the base of the tube 9 and the gear box 4 is mounted on an arm i3 upstanding from a toothed ejecting rod i4, the rod being slidably mounted parallel tothe winding spindle 5 in a sleeve i5 extending between walls I6, i1 of the machine frame. The ejecting rod I4 is moved endwise along the sleeve l5 towards the wall I1, in a manner to be described later, and in so moving causes the sleeve I2 to engage the base of the plrn 9 and push the pirn endwise from the winding spindle 5. The yarn 20 (see Figs. 6 and 7) remains in engagement with the traverse guide 8 with the result that as the plrn is ejected from the spindle a few turns of yarn unwind from the pim and trail behind the pim to the guide.

As shown in Fig. 5 the wall I6 is formed with an aperture 2| in which is rotatably mounted a toothed ring 22 through which the completed pim is pushed by the sleeve l2, the pim ultimately falling away from the end of the spindle down an inclined chute I0.

At the commencement of the pirn ejecting movement oi' the rod i4 the ring 22 is rotated by a pinion 23 in engagement therewith, and as the pirn passes through the ring a ringer 24 outstanding therefrom engages the trailing end of yarn and gives the yarn a few turns around the tip oi.' the now empty spindle 5 (Figs. 7 and 8). When suiilcient yarn is wrapped around the tip of the spindle to grip it a cutting blade 25 (Fig. 5) which is pivoted at 26 on the wall i8 is opened by the upward movement of a rod 28, the blade thereby engaging the yarn carried round the ring by the projecting finger 24.

Immediately after such engagement of the yarn the rod 28 moves downwardly to close the blade 25 and the yarn is cut in a scissor-like manner between the blade 25 and a co-operating blade 29 xed to the wall I6 around the upper edge of the aperture 2|. The electing rod is then moved endwise in the reverse direction to re-set the sleeve i2 at the base of the winding spindle 5. The eiecting of the completed pim, the engaging and wrapping of the yarn on the tip of the winding spindle 5 and the cutting of the yarn are effected in very quick succession, the cutting operation taking place while the completed pirn is still near the top of the inclined chute lil in order to prevent the unwinding of a long length of yarn from the pirn as it proceeds down the chute.

Just before the cutting of the yarn is eifected a carriage 3i (Figs. l and ll) mounted on freely rotatable ollers' I2 beneath a Vpirn tube l2 (sho in dotted line) is moved (to the right inFig.' l1) to bring a tube-receiving channel Il formed therein-beneath the magasine. The pirn tubes are normally prevented from dropping out of the magazine 33 by a dat portion I6 of the carriage 3i. The moving of the channel u. however. to a point directly beneath the magazine causes a fresh tube to drop into the channel. and the carriage is then moved in the reverse direction to bring the fresh tube directly opposite to the tip of the spindle 6. the iiat portion I6 of the carriage preventing the remaining fresh pirns from dropping out of the magazine.

A push rod 31 is normally held coaxially with the spindle 5 at a point beyond the tip 'of the fresh pirn tube on the carriage!! by an arm I6 dependingfrom a toothed replenishing rod la which is slidably supported parallel to the winding spindle 6 in a slotted sleeve Iii which extends between the walls i6. I1 and outwardly towards the gear box I. When the carriage Il reaches the requisite point the rod Il is moved endwise along the sleeve Iii towards the gear box, in a manner to be described later, and in so moving causes the push rod 31 to push the fresh pirn tube endwise from the channel II of the carriage 3i and along the spindle 5 into the winding position.

In passing along the spindle 5 the fresh tube (indicated by the reference numeral Ii in Figs. 8 and 9) slides over and traps the few turns of yarn wound thereon (Fig. 9) and carries the yarn to the end of the spindle at which winding is to recommence. The timing of the mechanism is such that the cutting of the yarn by the blades 25, 26 is eiected just as the fresh pirn tube Ii is being pushed on to the winding spindle.

Simultaneously with the pushing on the spindle i of the fresh pirn tube the yarn guiding device il is moved along the half-threaded shaft 6l back to a point near the gear box I in readiness for the recommencement of winding. by a push rod I2 which is under the control of the arm 36 of the replenishing rod 39. 'Ihus as the arm I6 moves to bring about the replenishment of the spindle (i. e. to the right in Fig. l) a wing II (see Figs. l and 1l) outstanding from the side of the arm engages a spring II secured to a guiding extension I5 of the push rod I2 and through the medium of the spring urges the push rod towards the gear box I.

The end of the push rod I2 is furnished with a block I5' (Figs. l and l2) having a projecting Wing I6 which engages an upstanding portion I1 (Fig. l) of a small bell-crank lever IB piivotally mounted on the yarn guiding device 8. 0n being pushed the bell-crank lever I6 rotates about its pivot and pushes the threaded disc ill of the yarn guiding device out of engagement with the threads of the half-threaded shaft 6 against the pressure of a spring i which normally tends to keep the disc in engagement with the threads of the shaft. 0n being released from the threads in this manner the guiding device l is free to slide along the shaft l under the influence of the push rod I2 to the point at which winding of the new pirn is to recommence.

With the fresh pirn tube pushed fully into position on the winding spindle 6 and the yarn guiding device l pushed .to thelpoint at which winding is to recommence the replenishing rod 36 is retracted and withdraws the' push rods 31. I2 into inoperative position. (viz. the position shown in Fig. l). As the wing Il of the block 'I6' recedes from the bell-crank lever I8 on the yarn guiding device the pressure on the portion I1 of the lever is released and the spring 6| is mmm-.ed u push che disc tn again mm engagement with the threads of the rod I in readiness for the recommencement of winding.

The lower extremity of the arm I8 is shaped so as to encircle the push rod l1 loosely, the operative connection betweenthe two elements being established by a compression spring 62 which loosely encircles the rod and bears at one end against the arm I6 and at the other against an enlarged portion of the rod which is hollow to allow of the end of the rod passing over the tip ci' the spindle 5. In this way any tendency of the replenishing rod I! to move outwardly towards the gear box I further than is necessary and thus causing the push rod 31 to damage the winding spindle 6, is prevented. Similarly, the operative connection between the wing Il and the push rod I2 through the spring II is nsuch as to prevent damaging of the yarn guiding device 8 in the event of the device jamming on the half-threaded rod 6.

The few turns of yarn wrapped round the tip of the winding spindle 6 and trapped and carried along thespindle by the fresh pirn tube Il remain iust inside the bore of the tube 9 during the winding of a pim. "On the removal of the completed pim, the turns of yarns leave the spindle together with the pirn and appear at the base of the plrn as a short loop of yarn protruding from-the bore. This loop can quickly and slmply be trimmed off without interfering in any way with the yarn in the pim.

The control of=the pim electing and replenishing mechanism described above is effected as folows:

Situated to the left of the wall I1 (as seen in Fig. l) is a drum cam 6I freely mounted on a rotatable shaft 56. The drum cam is formed with three grooves 66, 61, 66 which control levers 59, 66, 6I respectively, the levers being pivotally mounted at points 62 and being furnished with projecting pins 6.3, each fitting in the corresponding groove of the cam. The lever 69 is in pin and sot connection wtlh an arm 6I secured to a shaft 65 on which is xed a bevel wheel 66 (Fig. 3) the bevel wheel engaging a cooperating bevel wheel 61 secured to a shaft 66 borne in a boss formed in a wall 69 of the machine frame. A chain sprocket 16 mounted on the outer end of the shaft 66 is connected with a shaft 12 (to be described later) by means of chain and sprocket gearing 13.

'Ihe lever 6I is in similar pin and slot connection with an arm 1I secured to a shaft 16 on which is fixed a bevel wheel 16, the bevel wheel engaging a co-operating bevel wheel 11 secured to a shaft 1l borne in a boss formed in a wall 19 of the machine frame. A chain sprocket Bil mounted on the outer end of the shaft 1B is in connection with a shaft 62 (to be described later) through chain and sprocket gearing 63.

The lever 66 is slotted at its upper extremity. as isgshown at 6l. to receive a pin 66 outstanding from an extension 81 of the pim tube carriage 3|, the extension l1 passing through a slot formed in the wall I1 and being formed with a bearing boss 96 which slidably engages a transverse guiding shaft 9|.

Fixed to the shaft 65 closely adjacent to the left-hand end of the cam 5I is a disc 93 having a plurality of semi-circular notches QI formed on its periphery, the disc being continuously driven Til from a shaft 85 by worm and wheel gearing 98. A dog 91 freely pivoted on the end of the cam 54 near the periphery of the disc 83 normally rides idly on the periphery of the disc and drops into and pulls out of the notches 94 as the disc rotates, the drum cam 54 remaining stationary on the rotating shaft 55. The dog 91 is under the control of a catch 98 also pivoted on the end of the cam 54 and urged by a spring 99 into the position shown in Fig. 2 to lock the dog in any of the notches 94 so as to establish a driving connection between the disc 98 and the cam 54.

During winding, however, the catch 98 is restrained from dog-locking movement by a movable latch which is secured to a shaft IUI rotatably mounted in lugs |82 outstanding from the wall 19 of the machine frame. Rotary movement of the latch |88 and shaft IIII is controlled by an arm ||l4 secured to the shaft I0| (Fig. 4) and 'forked at its lower end to engage a pin |85 outstanding from a bar |08 in connection with the starting rods 1 oi' the machine. The bar |08 is slidably mounted in brackets I|9 outstanding from the wall |1, and is urged into endwise movement to the right by a compression spring I| which surrounds the bar.

As will be apparent from the above description, the disc 95, dog 91 and catch 98, and latchl |98 comprise a clutch device for driving the cam 54 and associated pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism. The initiation of the drive to such mechanism is effected as follows:

Secured to the end of each starting rod 1 is an arm |01 in pin and slot connection with a lever FIGB which is pivoted at |09 to the wall |1. During winding the position of each lever I|I8 is such as to hold under tension a spring which connects the lever with a catch ||2 rotatably mounted about a pivot I|3 formed on a bracket I I8, the catch having a claw |I4 which engages a corresponding recess in the bar |98. In this manner the bar is restrained against sliding movement in the bracket IIIJ under the influence of its spring H5 during winding in the machine.

0n completion of winding, however, the starting rods 1 are rotated in a clockwise direction by their stop motions to bring the corresponding spindles 5 to rest, each arm |I|1 consequently rotating its associated lever |88 anti-clockwise about the pivot |99. The rotation of each arm releases the tension in the associated spring I|| and brings a hammer ||8 outstanding from the arm smartly against the end of a rod ||1 which projects from the catch I|2 with the result that the catch is rotated about its pivot I I3 to free the bar ||l8 for movement under the influence of its A spring I l5.

Movement of the bar |08 on stoppage of wind- -ing rotates the shaft IIII (anti-clockwise as seen in Figs. 3 and 4) by means of its connection therewith through the pin |85 and arm |94, and thus raises the latch |89 out of contact with the catch 98 (viz. to the position shown in dotted line in Fig. 3). The catch 98 thereupon springs into contact with the dog 91 and locks the dog in engagement with the next notch 94 to be brought into contact with the dog by the rotation of the disc 83 (Fig 2). The drum cam 54 is thus coupled to the rotating disc 93 and both rotate together.

At the commencement of the rotation of the cam 54 the groove 58 causes the lever 8| to swing (to the left in Fig. 3) to rotate the bevel wheel 18, such rotation driving through the chain and sprocket gearing 88, 8l the shaft 82 on which is mounted a pinion Il! in engagement with the teeth of the pim eiecting rod I4. I n this manner the sleeve |2 is caused to eject the completed pirn from the winding spindle 5 in the manner described above.

Substantlally simultaneously with the movement of the lever 8| the lever 88 is swung (to the right in Fig. 3) to move the pim carriage 8| into position beneath the magazine 88 to collect a fresh pirn tube and then back (to the left) to carry the fresh pim tube to the spindle replenishing point.

'Ihe rotation of the cam 54 brings' about the rotation of a chain sprocket |2| formed integrally therewith, the sprocket driving through chain and sprocket gearing |22 a shaft |28 on which are secured bevel wheels |24 (Fig. 4). Each bevel wheel is in engagement with a further bevel wheel |25 secured to the end of a shaft |28 which has secured at its other end the pinion 23 driving the yarn engaglngand wrapping-ring 22. On being driven by the rotation of the sprocket |2I the ring 22 functions in the manner described above and wraps a few turns of yarn from the ejected pirn round the tip of the winding spindle 5. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the freely rotatable carriage supporting rollers 22 are mounted on the shaft |28, this, however, being merely for convenience, the rollers and the shaft having no further operative connection.

Shortly after the ejection of the completed pirn from the winding spindle 5 the groove 58 in the drum cam 84 swings the lever 8| back again into the position shown in Fig. 3, the electing rod I4 thereby being pushed towards the gear box 4 to reset the sleeve I2 at the base of the winding spindle 5. Simultaneously with the movement of the lever 8|! into the position in which the carriage 3l brings the fresh pim tube into alignment with the winding spindle 5 the groove 58 in the drum cam 54 causes the lever 58 to swing (to the right in Fig. 3) to rotate the bevel wheel 85 and consequently the shaft 12 through the chain and sprocket gearing 10, 13.

The shaft 12 carries a pinion |21. (Fig. l) in engagement with the toothed replenishing rod 29, the rotation of the shaft thus bringing about the operationl of the push rods I1, 42 to replenish the spindle 5 with the fresh-pim tube and reset the yarn guiding device 8 on the half-threaded rod 8, in the manner described above.

In addition to the pinion |21 the shaft 12 carries a cam |28 the rotation of which operates the .cutting blade 25. Thus the cam |28 engages a follower |29 rotatably mounted in a bracket |30 outstanding from the vertically disposed rod 28, the rotation of the cam causing the rod to be -raised and lowered during one rotation of the shaft 12. The rod 2l is urged downwardly by a compression spring I3| which ensures that the follower |29 always remains in engagement with the cam |28 and hence that a positive closing of the blade 25 is effected. The timing of the cam |28 is such that the lifting and lowering of the rod 28. and consequently the opening and closing of the blade 25, is carried out just as the ring 22 has wrapped sufficient yarn around the tip of the spindle to grip it, and immediately prior to the trapping of the wrapped yarn by the fresh pim tube.

With the fresh pirn tube in position on the winding spindle 5 and the machine in readiness for re-starting the groove 58 swings the lever 59 back to the position shown in Fig. 3 with the result that the replenishing rod 38 and push rods 75 31, 42 are retracted and brought into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1.

Simultaneously with such movement a raised portion |33 of the drum cam 54 contacts with a pin |34 outstanding from a. bar |35 (Fig. 4) which is freely mounted beneath the bar |06 in the brackets ||0, the cam moving the bar to the left. This movement of the bar |35 causes both a member |36 opstanding therefrom to bear against a collar |31 fixed on the bar |05, and pins |39 outstanding from th' bar |35 to bear against the lower ends of the pivoted levers |03, with the result that the bar |06 is also moved to the left and rotates the shaft |I|| so as to lower the latch |90 into position to engage the catch 96, and each starting rod 1 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction to start its windings spindle.

The engagement of the catch 90 by the latch |00 moves the catch against the tension in its spring 99 out of contact with the dog 91 which thereupon disengages itself from the disc notch 94, the drum cam 54 thus coming to rest until the newly started pirns are completed, when the cycle of operations described above is repeated.

The shape of the grooves 56, 51, 56 in the drum cam 54 is such that one revolution of the cam is sufllcient to eiect the whole of the pirn ejecting and replenishing operations and the re-starting of 'the winding spindles, the various ejecting and replenishing elements being moved from inoperative positions to perform their functions in due order, and returned to such positions after having functioned before the winding of the new pim commences.

It will be apparent from the above description that any convenient number of winding spindles 5 may be served by the one ejecting and replenishing unit, a set of two spindles only having been shown in the present drawings merely for convenience of description and illustration.

It will, moreover, be observed that while the ejecting and replenishing mechanism is fully automatic there is no danger of the mechanism operating until the last spindle of a set has 4stopped rotating, the arrangement of the bar |06, and a catch ||2 in association with each spindle preventing premature starting of the mechanism on the stopping of any one winding spindle.

When it is desired to render the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism inoperative after the winding of any particular set of pirns a hand lever |40 (Fig. 4) pivoted on the wall 69 may be rotated into position to engage a projection I4| of the bar |06. In this manner even though the winding spindles 5 stop rotating and the starting rods 1 cause the catches I |2 to be rotated out of engagement with the bar |06 the bar can-t not move under the iniluence of its spring ||5 and consequently the latch |00 is not raised out of contact with the catch 98 which continues to allow the dog 91 to ride idly on the periphery of the disc 93.

Figs. 13 to 16 illustrate a modification of the invention in which the controlling mechanism for the ejecting and replenishing elements is disposed beneath the latter elements in order to reduce the overall width of the machine.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 13, the ejecting and replenishing mechanism is generally of similar construction to that described above in that a toothed ejecting rod |45 driven by a pinion |46 mounted on a shaft |41 operates a plrn ejecting sleeve |48 and a toothed replenishing rod |49 driven by a pinion |50 mounted on a shaft |5| operates both a pirn push rod |62 and a. yarn guiding device re-setting rod |53, fresh pirns |54 being supplied from a. magazine |55 to a carriage |56, and the yarn engagingand wrapping-ring being driven by a shaft |51 upon which are freely rotatable rollers |59 supporting the pirn carriage.

Unlike the previously described apparatus, however, the arms |01 secured to the ends of the starting rods 1 are pivotally connected to rods |60, each of which is connected at its lower end to a pivoted lever |6I. With the starting rods 1 in the spindle running position the connecting rods |60 cause the levers |6| to bear downwardly on a pivoted latch |63 which performs the same function as the latch |00 described with reference to the preceding figures in that during winding in the machine the latch prevents a spring-urged catch |65 from 'locking a dog |66 in a notch |61 formed in a rotatable driving disc |68, and thus transmitting drive to a drum cam |69.

On stoppage of the winding spindles 5, the starting rods 1 rotate in a clockwise direction and each arm |01 pushes its. connecting rod |60 downwardly. The rod rotates the associated lever |6|, and the rotation of both levers permits the latch |63 to raise out of the contact with the catch |65 under the iniiuence of a spring |10 (Fig. 14) Which presses against a projection |1| formed on the latch. The catch i |65 is thus freed and locks the dog |66 to the driving disc |68 so as to couple the drum cam to the driving disc in the manner described above.

The drum cam |69 is formed with two grooves |13, |14 (Fig. 14). The groove |13 controls a pivoted lever |15 which is in pin and slot connection with an arm |11 Secured to a. shaft |16 upon which is mounted a gear wheel |19. The gear wheel drives a pinion secured to a shaft |6| upon which is xed a chain sprocket |82 (see Fig. 15), the chain sprocket driving through a chain |64 the sprocket |85 mounted on the shaft |41 bearing the pinion |46 in engagement with the teeth of the pirn ejecting rod |45. (The sprocket is immediately behind the pinion |46 in Fig. 13.)

In this manner the swinging of the lever |15 by the groove |13 brings about the ejection of the pirn |86 from the winding spindle 5.

The groove |14 controls a pivoted lever |80 which is in Din and slot connection with an arm |90 secured to a shaft |92 upon which is mounted a gear Wheel |93. The gear wheel drives a pinion |94 secured to a shaft |95 upon which is i'lxed a chain sprocket |96, the chain sprocket driving by means of a chain |91 a sprocket |96 mounted on the shaft |5| bearing the pinion |50 in engagement with the teeth of the pirn replenishing rod |49. (The sprocket |99 is immediately behind the pinion |50 in Fig. 13.)

The swinging of the lever |68 by the groove |14 thus brings about the movement of the pim replenishing rod |49, the replenishing of the fresh pirn tube by the push rod |52 and the re-setting of the yarn guiding device by the push rod |53 being performed in the manner described with reference to Fig. 1.

Prior to the swinging of the lever |66, however, the pirn carriage |56 is operated to bring the fresh pim tube |54 from the magazine |55 to a. position coaxial with the winding spindle 5 in the following manner:-

Upstanding from the pirn ejecting rod |45 (see Fig. 16) is a. pin 200 which engages a cam slot 75 20| formed in a movable plate 202 from which the carriage |56 is supported by pillars 203. On retraction of the rod |45 to eject a completed pirn from the winding spindle 5 the movement of the pin 200 within the cam slot 20| causes the plate 202 to move so as to carry the carriage |56 to a point beneath the magazine |55 where a channel 204 formed in the carriage receives a fresh pim tube |54 in the manner described with reference to the carriage 3| of Figs. 1 and 1l.

The reverse movement of the pirn ejecting rod |45 to re-set the sleeve |48 at the base of the winding spindle 5 causes the plate 202 to return to the position shown in Fig. 16 where the fresh pirn tube is held coaxial with the spindle 5. The movement of the replenishing rod |49 under the influence of the lever |88 then causes the push rod |52 to push the pirn tube endwise from the groove 204 and into position on the winding spindle 5.

The yarn connecting the completed pirn with the thread guide is wrapped round the spindle tip and cut in the manner described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. The shaft |51 which drives the yarn engaging ring is driven from a gear wheel |83 disposed at the end of the drum cam |69, the gear wheel driving a pinion |81 secured to a shaft |9| to which is fixed a sprocket |99 which drives the shaft |51 by means of a chain 84. The shaft |61 is connected by chain and sprocket gearing |59 to a similar shaft driving a second yarn engaging and wrapping ring in connection with a second winding spindle 5. After the replenishing operation the rod |49 is retracted by the cam |69 into inoperative position (viz. as shown in Fig. 13).

The winding operation is nowready for restarting, and the raised portion of a cam 205 formed on the drum cam |69 is brought by the rotation of the drum cam into contact with a lever 89 (to be described later), which bears upwardly against a bar 206 formed with apertures which loosely surround the lower ends of the connecting rods |60. On being lifted, the bar 206 pushes the connecting rods upwardly with the result that the starting rods 1 are rotated anti-clockwise into spindle running position and the winding operation recommences.

The upward movement of the connecting rods |60 to restart the Winding spindles 5 rotates the levers |6| about their pivots and brings the ends of the levers against the spring-urged latch |63 which is forced downwardly into position to disengage the catch |65 from the dog |66. In this manner on recommencement of winding the drive to the drum cam |69 is disengaged and the cam comes to rest.

The timing of the cam 205 is such that it moves away from the lever 69 and thus allows the bar 206 to descend from the ends of the connecting rods |60 before the cam |69 ceases to rotate. The connecting rods |60 are thus free to descend on the completion of the winding of the pirns, when the sequence of operations described above is repeated.

The bar 206 is formed as a T-shaped member, the long limb 201 of which is pivoted at 208 to allow of the rising and falling of the bar 206 in a substantially vertical plane so that the ends of the bar do not foul the lower ends of the connecting rods. The lower ends of the connecting rods are rounded and the apertures in the bar 206 which engage the ends of the rods are of complementary shape to allow of smooth contact between the members as the bar is lifted. The pivoted lever 89 prevents any tendency for side- Ways movement of the bar 206 relatively to the connecting rods |60 under the influence of the cam 205.

As with the apparatus described in connection with Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the controlling mechanism for the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism of Figs 13 to 15 is fully automatic, and one revolution of the cam |69 is sufficient to bring about the Whole of the pirn ejecting and replenishing operations, and the ultimate restarting of the winding spindles. Moreover, like the previously described apparatus, any convenient number of winding spindles can be served by the one unit of ejecting and replenishing mechanism, it merely being necessary to provide an arm |01, push rod |60 and suitable lever |6| in connection with each spindle starting rod. Premature starting of the cam |69 and associated controlling mechanism on the stoppage of any one spindle of a set is rendered impossible by the provision of the levers |6| bearing on the latch |63, the latch being freed to free the dog-locking catch only when all the spindles of the set have ceased rotating, and the associated levers |6| are rotated about their pivots by the connecting rods |60.

If on the completion of any particular set of pirns it is desired to stop the pirn winding operation, the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism described above may be rendered inoperative simply by rotating the spring |10 (Fig. 14) out of contact with the extension i1| of the latch |63. The latch thus remains in contact with the catch |65 which consequently cannot move to lock the dog |66 to the driving disc |63, on completion of winding.

In the event of jamming of the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism through any cause (e. g. the jamming of a full pirn during removal or of a fresh pim tube during spindle replenishment), means are provided for bringing the mechanism quickly to rest.

Thus the disc |69 is secured to a shaft 2|0 (Fig. 17) upon which the drum cam |69 is freely mounted, the shaft being continuously driven by worm and wheel gearing 2| I. The drum is prevented from rotating idly together with the shaft during winding in the machine by a spring finger 2|2 (Fig. 14) which presses against a flat 2|3 formed in the face of the drum. The pressure of the finger 2|2 is, of course, insuilicient to prevent the rotation of the drum when the dog |66 is locked to the driving disc |68.

The drive from the Worm and Wheel gearing 2|| is transmitted to the shaft 2|0 through a flanged disc 2|4 which is mounted on the end of the shaft and is in connection therewith by means of a soft copper pin 2|5 which passes diametrically through the flange of the disc and through a slot 2 6 formed in the end of the shaft. Pins 2|1 outstanding from the side of the worm Wheel 2|| engage corresponding holes formed in the disc, the pins 2|1 and the copper pin 2 5 thus forming the positive driving connection between the wheel and the shaft.

When the torque required to drive the shaft 2|0 exceeds a predetermined value as, for example, on the jamming of the pirn ejecting and replenishing mechanism, the copper pin 2 I5 shears and thus disconnects the drive from the worm wheel to the shaft. The diameter of the copper pin 2|5 is predetermined in accordance with the load to which the shaft 2|0 is normally subjected.

The disc 2| 4 is heid against the side of the wheel 2H by spring ngers 288 which allow of quick withdrawal of the disc and replacement by a. i'resh disc complete with a new copper pin when the cause of jamming is removed. The flange of the disc 2H is formed with an annular groove 2IB into which a key may be fitted for ease of withdrawal and repkacement of a disc.

Fig. 5 illustrates an arrangement by which the half threaded traverse rod 6 may be finely adjusted towards or away from the winding spindle E in order to regulate the thickness of the plrn wound by the spindle. Thus the end of the rod is formed without threads and is reciprocably mounted in a bearing block II slidablyheld in an aperture I8 formed in the wall I6 in the vicinity of the yarn engagingandl wrapping-ring 22, the upper and lower edges of the aperture dovetailing in corresponding grooves formed along the upper and lower edges of the block. A screw ,I8 threaded through a lug 30 bears against one side of the block II and a compression spring I mounted within the aperture so as to bear with its ends respectively against the block and the end of the aperture enable the block to be held in any desired position lengthwise of the aperture.

The operation of the pim winding apparatus according to the invention will now be described briefly with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. i to l2, it being understood that the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16, while comprising the modiiications described above, functions in a generally similar manner as will alreadyr be apparent from the foregoing description.

During the winding of pirns by the spindles and traverse mechanisms 6, the apparatus parts 2 and 3 (Fig. 1) are stationary, the starting rods 1 being in the "running position and thus holding the latch IDU in engagement With the catch 88 to prevent the coupling of the dog 91 with the rotating disc 93. On completion of a pirn the associated starting rod 1 is rotated by the stop mechanism to stop the winding spindle, and in 'so rotating, moves the corresponding catch H2 (Fig. 4) out of engagement with the bar |86. When the winding spindles 5' oi' the set have stopped, the corresponding catches H2 are moved out of engagement with the bar |06 which is thereupon freed to move (to the right in Fig. 4) under the influence of the spring II5.

The movement of the bar IDB rotates the latch |88 out of engagement with the catch 8B which is thus freed to lock the dog 91 to the periphery of the rotating disc 93 so as to couple the drive to the drum cam 54. The rotation of the drum cam reciprocates the sleeve I2 in association with each spindle 5 to eject the completed pim from the spindle (see Figs. 6 and 7) and return the sleeve to inoperative position near the gear box l again.

On being ejected from the spindle 5, the completed pim is passed through the ring 22 (Fig. 5) which is set into rotation so that the linger 2l outstanding therefrom engages the length ci the yarn extending from the supply to the pirn and rotates the yarn round the stationary spindie 5 to wrap turns of yarn thereon. When sumcient yarn is wrapped round the spindle 5 to grip it, the yarn extending between the completed pim and the turns wrapped on the spindie is severed by the blades 25, 28.

In the meantime on rotation of the drum cam 5I the groove 51 has caused the lever 68 to swing" to the right in Figure 3 to move the n pirn carriage 3| into position beneath the magazine 33 (in Figs. l and l1) to collect a fresh pirn and carry it to a point opposite the end of the spindle 5 where a push rod 81 reciprocates to push the empty tube endwise on the spindle so that the turns of yarn on the spindle are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle. While the push rod 81 is replenishing the spindle 5, the associated push rod l2 resets the yarn guiding device 8 along the traverse rod 6 at the point at which the winding oi the new pim is to commence. The push rods 31 and 42 are then retacted to their inoperative positions (viz. the positions show n in Fig. l).

With the empty'pirn tube in winding position on the spindle 5 and in engagement with the yarn extending from the supply, and the yarn vguiding device 8 reset on the traverse rod 8 in position for the commencement of winding, the drum cam 54 pushes the bar |88 back to its original position against the pressure in the spring H5, (as shown in Fig. 4), the retraction of the bar both rotating the starting rods 1 to restart the Winding spindles 5 (the rods thereby bringing the catches H2 into bar-locking position) and lowering the latch |88 into position to engage the catch 88, (when the rotation oi the drum carries the catch into latch-engaging position) so as to free the dog 81. The dog is thus permitted to move to uncouple the drive between the disc 93 and the drum cam 54 and the drum cam comes to rest until the pirns are completed, when the cycle of operations described above is repeated.

Having described our invention, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a winding spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, means for ejecting the filled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the Winding operation.

2. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon.which the winding of a new pim continues, comprising a Winding spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, means for ejecting the iilled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means for severing the yarn near the completed pim, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, means for operating the yarn severing means prior to the pushing on the spindle of the empty tube, and means for restarting the winding operation.

3. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a plurality of winding spindles on to which pirn tubes may be pushed, means in association with each spindle for ejecting the filled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means in association with each spindle for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of each spindle, means for pushing each empty tube endwise on to the corresponding spindle so that the turns of yarn on such spindle are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, means for delaying the operation of said pirn ejecting, yarn engaging and wrapping, and the pirn tube carrying and pushing means until all the pirns of the set are completed, and means for restarting the winding operation after the replenishment of the spindles with the fresh tubes.

4. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a plurality of winding spindles on to which pirn tubes may be pushed, means in association with each spindle for ejecting the filled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means in association with each spindle for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle s as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of each spindle, means for pushing each empty tube endwise on to the corresponding spindle so that the turns of yarn on such spindle are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, common mechanism for operating the pirn ejecting, yarn engaging and wrapping, and the pirn tube carrying and pushing means in connection with all the spindles, means for delaying the operation of the common mechanism until al1 the pirns are completed, and means operated by said common mechanism for restarting the winding operation and bringing said mechanism to rest after the replenishment of the spindles with the fresh tubes.

5. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a winding spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, means for ejecting the lled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, a pirn tube magazine, a carriage for carrying an empty pirn tube from the magazine to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty pirn tube endwise from the carriage on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the winding operation.

-6. Pirn winding apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for mounting the pirn tube magazine above the carriage, and means for reciprocating the carriage between the bottom of the magazine and the spindle, the carriage being formed both with a channel for receiving an empty tube from the magazine and carrying the tube to spindle-replenishing position, and a iiat portion adapted to support the remainder of the tubes in the magazine during the winding of a pirn.

'7. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a winding spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, a halfthreaded traverse rod in association with the spindle and adapted to be reciprocated, a threaded yarn guide mounted on said rod and adapted to screw along said rod while traversing yarn to and fro along the pirn tube, a lever for disengaging the threads of the guide from the threads of the traverse rod so as to free the guide for resetting movement along the rod, means for ejecting the iilled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped btween the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, means for pressing the lever on the yarn guide to free the guide from the threads of the traverse rod and reset the guide on the rod in position for the recommencement of winding, and means for restarting the winding operation.

8. Pirn winding apparatus, comprising a pirn winding spindle, a guide adapted to traverse yarn to and fro along a pirn tube on the spindle, a rotatable ring disposed concentrically with the spindle near the tip thereof, a finger formed on the ring and projecting inwardly of the ring, means in association with the spindle for ejecting a completed pirn endwise from the spindle through the ring after stoppage of Winding, a carriage for delivering a fresh pirn tube from a supply to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for rotating the ring so as to engage by the projecting finger the length of yarn extending from the traverse guide to the ejected pirn and to wrap said engaged yarn around the tip of the Winding spindle, means for propelling the fresh pirn tube endwise from the carriage and into winding position on the spindle so as to trap the wrapped yarn by the fresh pirn tube while replenishing the spindle, means for severing the yarn near the completed pirn, and means for restarting the winding operation.

9. Pirn winding apparatus having means for automatically replacing a completed pirn by an empty tube upon which the winding of a new pirn continues, comprising a winding spindle on to which a plm tube may be pushed, means for ejecting the filled pim tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to `the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns of yarn thereon, means ior carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, controlling mechanism for operating the pirn ejecting, yarn engaging and wrapping, and the pirn tube carrying and pushing means, means operated by the controlling mechanism for restarting the winding operation, driving means for the controlling mechanism, clutch mechanism interposed between the driving means and the controlling mechanism and adapted to couple the driving means with the controlling mechanism on stoppage of Winding and to uncouple the driving means from the controlling mechanism after such mechanism has restarted the winding operation.

10. Pirn winding apparatus, comprising a pirn winding spindle, a rotatable starting rod ior controlling the rotation of the spindle, means in association with the spindle for ejecting a completed pirn endwise from the spindle after rotation of the starting rod to stop winding, a carriage for delivering a fresh pirn tube from a supply to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for propelling the fresh tube endwise from the carriage into Winding position on the spindle, a rotatable cam adapted to operate the pirn ejecting, delivering and propelling means, a rotatable driving disc having a notched periphery and disposed coaxially with said cam, a dog pivoted on said cam and adapted to contact with the periphery of the disc, a catch pivoted on the cam near to said dog and adapted to move into contact with the dog to lock the dog in a disc-notch and thereby to establish driving connection betv. een the disc and the cam, a latch under the control of the starting rod and adapted to restrain the catch during winding and to free the catch for dog-locking movement on rotation of the starting rod to stop winding, and means operated by the cam for rotating the starting-rod to restart Winding and resetting the latch in catchengaging position so as to disengage the drive to the cam on completion of the pirn ejecting and replenishing operation.

11. Pirn winding apparatus, comprising a plurality of pirn winding spindles, a rotatable starting rod in association with each spindle, means for ejecting completed pirns from the spindles, means for replenishing the spindles with fresh pirn tubes, means for severing the ends of yarns connecting the completed pirns with the supply, means for attaching said ends to the respective tubes, a rotatable cam adapted to operate the pirn ejecting, replenishing, and yarn severing and manipulating means, means for driving said cam, a movable recessed bar adapted to bring about coupling or uncoupling of the driving means and the cam, a catch in association with each starting rod and adapted during winding by the corresponding spindle to engage a recess in the bar so las to lock it in uncoupling position, and, on rotation of the associated starting rod to stop winding by its spindle, to move from the recess so as to free the bar to move into coupling position when permitted to do so by the remaining catches, and means in association with said cam for resetting said bar in uncoupling position, and bringing about the rotation of the starting rods to start winding and the resetting of the catches in bar-recess engaging position so as to lock the bar in the said uncoupling position on completion of the pirn ejecting, replenishng and yarn severing and manipulating operations.

l2. Pirn winding apparatus, comprising a plurality of pirn winding spindles, a rotatable starting rod in association with each spindle, means for ejecting completed pirns from theV spindles, means for replenishng the spindles with fresh pirn tubes, means for severing the ends of yarn connecting the completed pirns with the supply, means for attaching said ends to the respective tubes, a rotatable cam adapted to operate the pirn ejecting, replenishing, and yarn severing and manipulating means, means for driving said cam, a movable latch adapted to bring about coupling or uncoupling of the driving means and the cam, a lever ln association with each starting rod, each of said levers being adapted during winding by the corresponding spindle to hold the latch in uncoupling position and, on rotation of the associated starting rod to stop winding, to free the latch to move into coupling position when permitted to do so bythe remaining levers, and means in association With said cam for rotating the starting rods into Winding position and thereby moving the associated levers into latch-engaging position so as to uncouple the driving means from the cam on completion of the pirn ejecting, replenishing and yarn severing and manipulating operations.

13. Yarn winding apparatus, comprising a plu.- rality of pirn Winding spindles, means in association therewith for ejecting completed pirns endwise from the spindles after stoppage of winding. a carriage for delivering a fresh pirn tube from a supply to a point opposite the end of each spindle, means for propelling the fresh tubes endwise from the carriage into winding position on the respective spindles, common mechanism for controlling the operations of said ejecting, delivering and propelling means, means under the control of said common mechanism for restarting the winding operation and bringing said mechanism to rest after the replenishment of the spindles with the fresh tubes, means for driving said common mechanism, end means for disconnecting the drive to said common mechanism when the torque required to drive said mechanism exceeds a predetermined value.

14. Yarn winding apparatus, comprising a plurality of pirn winding spindles, means in association therewith for ejecting completed pirns endwise from the spindles after stoppage of Winding` a carriage for delivering a fresh pirn tube from a supply to a point opposite the end of each spindle, means for propelling the fresh tubes endwise from the carriage into winding position on the respective spindles, common mechanism for controlling the operations of said ejecting, delivering and propelling means. means under the control of said common mechanism for restarting the winding operation and bringing said mechanism to rest after the replenishment of the spindles with the fresh tubes, a slotted shaft for driving said common mechanism, a wheel for driving said shaft, and a soft-metal pin passing through said shaft and transmitting the drive thereto from said wheel, said pin being capable of transmitting only a predetermined degree of torque to said shaft so as to shear and di nect the drive to the common mechanism when the torque required to drive said mechanism exceeds the predetermined value.

l` A mechanism for incorporation in a pirn winding machine of the type compi-isili."l a spindie on to which a pirn tube may be pushed. and a starting rod and stop motion in association therewith. said mechanism comprising means for ejecting a lled pirn tube endwise from the spindle on stoppage of winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns o yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the winding operation.

16. A mechanism for incorporation in a pirn winding machine of the type comprising a spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, and a starting rod and stop motion in association therewith, said mechanism comprising means for ejecting a filled pirn tube endwise from the CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,176,970.

spindle on stoppage of Winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to Wrap turns of yarn thereon, a pirn tube magazine, a. carriage for carrying an empty pirn tube from the magazine to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty pirn tube endwise from the carriage on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube While the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the winding operation.

WILLIAM HARRY KIMIPTON.

STEPHEN MILLER FULTON.

OF CRRECTION.

October 2li, 1959.

WILLIAM HARRY KIMP'ION, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 9, second column, lines 25 and lill, claims l5 and lil respectively, for the word "Yarn" read Pirn; same column, line liO, claim l5, for "end" read and; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of' December, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry,r Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to wrap turns o yarn thereon, means for carrying an empty pirn tube to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty tube endwise on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube while the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the winding operation.

16. A mechanism for incorporation in a pirn winding machine of the type comprising a spindle on to which a pirn tube may be pushed, and a starting rod and stop motion in association therewith, said mechanism comprising means for ejecting a filled pirn tube endwise from the CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,176,970.

spindle on stoppage of Winding, means for engaging the length of yarn extending from the supply to the completed pirn and rotating said yarn round the stationary spindle so as to Wrap turns of yarn thereon, a pirn tube magazine, a. carriage for carrying an empty pirn tube from the magazine to a point opposite the end of the spindle, means for pushing the empty pirn tube endwise from the carriage on to the spindle so that the turns of yarn are trapped between the spindle and the tube While the tube is being secured on the spindle, and means for restarting the winding operation.

WILLIAM HARRY KIMIPTON.

STEPHEN MILLER FULTON.

OF CRRECTION.

October 2li, 1959.

WILLIAM HARRY KIMP'ION, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 9, second column, lines 25 and lill, claims l5 and lil respectively, for the word "Yarn" read Pirn; same column, line liO, claim l5, for "end" read and; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of' December, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry,r Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

